Capital Project Accountant

About the role

This role oversees the full lifecycle of capital projects and plant fund accounting, including budgeting, expense tracking, asset management, and reporting. The position ensures that capital projects and plant fund accounts are accurately coded, monitored, reconciled, and reported in alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and manage capital project records and project numbers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Track all expenses for capital projects and ensure expenditures remain within approved budgets.
• Verify that all capital project transactions and plant fund expenses are coded accurately in the general ledger.
• Monitor and track expenses for all plant fund accounts and ensure proper allocation of costs.
• Verify and process all plant fund budget transfers in accordance with internal policies.
• Prepare and process reallocation journal entries as needed to correct or adjust plant fund and capital project transactions.
• Cook up with campus presidents on capital improvement fund items, projects, and related financial requirements.
• Review and approve capital improvement fund projects and purchases for all campuses within established guidelines.
• Track expenses related to capital improvement fund projects and purchases, ensuring accurate and timely recording.
• Close out capital improvement fund projects and purchases at year-end, including final reconciliations and documentation.
• Complete monthly reporting for plant fund accounts, including analysis of revenue and expenses.
• Monitor and record revenue that comes into plant fund accounts, ensuring proper classification and documentation.
• Prepare and submit monthly reporting to the state, when applicable, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Monitor all plant fund budgets and collaborate with the Facilities and Planning department and the CFO on budget status and needs.
• Meet monthly with the Facilities and Planning department and the CFO to review capital projects, plant fund budgets, and financial performance.
• Create the plant fund budget for each fiscal year, incorporating capital projects and asset-related plans.
• Monitor and track business assets and related expenses, ensuring accurate capitalization and expense recognition.
• Perform ad-hoc reporting and analysis related to capital projects, plant funds, and capital assets as requested.
• Manage depreciation schedules for capital assets, ensuring accurate and timely depreciation entries in the general ledger.
• Research and compile audit documentation related to plant funds, capital projects, and capital assets during audit periods.
• Review and approve requisitions for projects and business assets in alignment with budget and policy requirements.
• Reconcile all plant fund accounts regularly, resolving discrepancies and ensuring accurate balances.
• Research transactions and accounts as needed to address issues, answer questions, and support decision-making.
• Prepare and support year-end reporting, including capital asset and plant fund summaries, reconciliations, and disclosures.
• Provide guidance and oversight to at least one direct report, supporting daily activities related to capital projects and plant funds, if applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in managing capital assets, including tracking, capitalization, and depreciation.
• Experience with capital projects and capital asset accounting, including budgeting and expense tracking.
• Strong accounting knowledge with hands-on experience in general ledger activities.
• Experience with month-end processes, including reconciliations and reporting.
• Experience with managing and maintaining depreciation schedules for capital assets.
• Experience with monitoring and reconciling multiple plant fund and capital project accounts.
• Strong analytical skills to research transactions, resolve discrepancies, and support audits.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with Facilities and Planning, the CFO, and campus leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to handle detailed financial data accurately and efficiently.

Qualifications

• Experience working with Facilities and Construction teams is preferred.
• Prior experience in a role involving capital project coordination or plant fund accounting is highly beneficial.
• Management experience is preferred but not required; the role may include managing one team member.
• Motivation for professional growth and interest in long-term career development within the organization.
• Comfort with ad-hoc reporting and working with various stakeholders on special projects.
• Familiarity with state reporting requirements for capital or plant fund accounts is an advantage.